I used to think Rainbow Dash was a bit overrated, I never hated Rainbow Dash but didn't see at first why she was quite so popular but now I understand. Yes Rainbow Dash can be brash, arrogant, and can be a show off but she improved a great deal as a character in my opinion has grown the most of any of the mane 6 characters especially this season. It is because of that character growth that she became my 3rd favorite pony and as of a few days ago my 2nd favorite pony behind Applejack and Twilight who are tied for 1st.

In Sleepless in Ponyville we got to Rainbow Dash's soft side, that despite her gruff exterior and insecurities about her rep that she is a big softie. In Wonderbolt Academy she was willing to give up her dream of becoming a Wonderbolt to do the right thing and call out Lightning Dust for her reckless and irresponsible behavior. I like Rainbow Dash because she is willing to put in the hard work and sacrifice to pursue her dreams yet has not let her ambitions cloud her moral judgement and her loyalty to her principles and her friends even if she still gets a bit cocky sometimes.

She's not always super nicey nice, I laughed out loud when Pinkie was upset after pestering Cranky and Rainbow went "yeah, he doesn't wanna be bothered by your over-the-top super hyper antics!" while rolling her eyes.

I think she's cool. Without diving into the character development stuff, I like her character design. It's colorful and unique. Her cutie mark is pretty badass, to be honest. Her voice is one of my favorites too. It's original and unique.

Now, for character development, her tomboyish and arrogant attitude is great. She shows that not everyone can be perfect. Yet, we can be good friends at the same time. I can relate to her tomboyish attitude because, well, I'm a guy. And then there's the loyalty part, which I love.

1. Which I don't mind. I like characters who aren't necessarily smart all the time.

2. But her actions show that she doesn't think it.

3. Hiding a sympathetic need for validation and approval.

The thing is, I don't find Rainbow Dash very awesome. That title belongs very firmly in Applejack's territory. In fact, I think that's why I liked Rainbow Dash. She presents herself as the typical "awesome tough guy" character type, but on the inside, she's half snuggles and bunnies, half a terrified little filly afraid of being alone, and almost none of what she presents herself to be.

I don't follow the reasoning of "I like Rainbow Dash in spite of her flaws". In spite of those qualities that make her feel human and interesting? I prescribe to a different idea; "I like Rainbow Dash because of her flaws". Of course, only having flaws makes a character unexciting and inspires apathy in the audience. And that is absolutely not true for Rainbow Dash. She is an incredibly loyal pony who, despite normally being very lazy, will stop at nothing to be there for her friends. She is willing to do what needs to be done, and is developing into a surprisingly responsible and mature authority figure.

The combination of her good traits and bad traits means that you have a pony who is held down by many flaws, which makes it all the sweeter when she does the right thing. I'm a huge fan of tropes like Earn Your Happy Ending. The more a character has to struggle, the more they shine when they succeed. Rainbow Dash shines.

I would like to preface this by saying that Rainbow Dash is not nearly as popular as she would seem. Yes, she has loads of fans but she also has loads of people who can't stand her, as is evidenced by this thread and countless others.

Anyhow, I find her a very complex and nuanced character, with a lot going on beneath the surface. She is not even close to as confident or brash as she appears. In fact she hides quite a lot of insecurity underneath her attitude and can be downright sweet to her friends at times. Yes, she has oodles of flaws, but that isn't a sign of a bad or unlikable character. If anything her flaws make her understandable and real.Can we walk out our front door every morning and be utterly perfect and polite souls all day? Hats off to you if you can. I can't. I have my share of problems and issues that I have to grapple with daily, and so does Rainbow Dash, but Rainbow Dash takes these problems and overcomes them to do incredible things anyway. Furthermore, she is a character with a dream. She is chasing something wonderful, something that few people would even have the guts to dream of, something that I'm sure countless people have broken themselves trying to attain, and she knows just how hard it will be to continue chasing her dream but she does it anyway. That's amazing, and it inspires me to think that maybe I can do great things as well if I keep pushing at it.

She is also adorable, funny, and I would be honored to have her as a friend. If I were in trouble there's no one I'd rather have my back.

Oh look, more threads where the RD haters are going to flock in throngs, and pull all the stops in making sure they get to voice why they despise Dash :'D We certainly haven't seen those before!

She can be cute, awesome and funny all in one, I like the whole tomboy thing, I love her voice, I love her sleek design, I think her element is one of the more interesting ones, I think rainbows are boss, she has a sensitive side that comes out occasionally, she has clear flaws that make her realistic, she Sonic Rainboomed and made her all her friends hit puberty get their cutie marks at the same time, so on and so forth ^^

She can be brash, but that's not a reason to label her a bitch and move on, IMO, like some people seem to do. But, to each their own. Not every personality is for everyone, and I get that. I also get that her overwhelming popularity turns people to dislike/hate her too (also just as much a shallow reason to hate something in full, but I digress).

First of all, I even STATED that I didn't hate her. I said, sometimes her personality is mean and bitchy and rude. I like Rainbow a lot, I just don't get why everyone thinks she is best pony.

First of all, I even STATED that I didn't hate her. I said, sometimes her personality is mean and bitchy and rude. I like Rainbow a lot, I just don't get why everyone thinks she is best pony.

Wasn't referring to you specifically in any of that, I was speaking in general ^^ Your topic, as you can see, has opened up an opportunity for RD dislikers to throw their opinions around like it's going out of style :3 It always happens.

Wasn't referring to you specifically in any of that, I was speaking in general ^^ Your topic, as you can see, has opened up an opportunity for RD dislikers to throw their opinions around like it's going out of style :3 It always happens.

Okay good, I got so scared.

Yeah no, I really just wanted to see what people's opinions were.

I really like how you worded your post and said things.
RDash, she may be ignorant and stuff but I do like her.
Especially after Season 3 came out, with Sleepless in Ponyville.

I understand why people love and hate her, but for me, she's in the middle. I like her and dislike her at times.

Between that episode and Wonderbolts Academy, Dash has gotten some considerable character development this season ^^ I've seen numerous forum members who were fairly avid about their pure hate towards Dash admit that she's taking strides in the right direction after those episodes. Even though, in reality, she's been awesome since the beginning.

I understand why people love and hate her, but for me, she's in the middle. I like her and dislike her at times.

I think I understand what you are saying, I feel that same way about Rarity. I didn't like her at first because I found her annoying but after taking a second look at her I like her a bit though not as much as the other ponies and she can still annoy me at times.

I disliked every pony until little by little they all grew on me. Twilight was my fav at first...then I grew onto Pinkie...then I started to love Fluttershy and Rarity and Applejack made me happy and now Rainbow is cute as can be.

People who can't draw a line between proud, outspoken athletes and bullies/jerks/narcissists/stereotypical Americans are not going to identify with Rainbow Dash enough to realize how awesome she is, but it's pretty obvious to the rest of us: she rules.

I can accept those differences. But it's all I have to say on this (all too familiar) topic. <_<

I used to not really like Rainbow Dash (and Derpy) because of 2 reasons: I didnt get why, and because of horrid crossovers (I shudder at the gran turismo crossover).

Over time though, I stopped being biased toward mainstream things, and realized how RD was actually kinda sweet in a way. Even if she's an arrogant bastard, she still does care for other ponies when in need... She just, needs a little work though ._.

I do like Rainbow Dash because she developed in Sleepless in Ponyville and Wonderbolts Academy. I just think that I don't really care if you don't like her or not everybody has an open opinion. There are a lot of reasons why I like Rainbow Dash, but I'm not going to bore anyone to death. Pretty much, she is my favorite Applejack comes at 2nd.

Headstrong tomboy with rainbow-coloured hair, a tough act and is completely loyal and trustworthy?

RainbowDashis

- Arrogant

I personally have plenty of ego and arrogance, too. It's not a bad thing in itself.

Arrogance is another type of pride and confidence in one's self.

Being confident means you are more assured of yourself. IN COMPARISON TO SOMETHING ELSE.

Hence, it can be described as arrogance.

- a Showoff

Granted, one of the most annoying traits of arrogant people.

However, what's wrong with showing off what you can do?

That being said, Rainbow Dash is not distinctly brash about showing off and it's just an on-site thing for her, it seems.

Are there that many instances where Rainbow Dash is showing off out of turn?

- a tomboy

I'm androgynous and find this worth the point.

I don't like RD much either, welcome to the club! I think she's mean too, I can't stand arrogant people...I may joke about it but I hate people who are truly self-centered like she is. Yet, I value loyalty...but her loyalty is showcased in the least flattering way possible.

- Loyal

Her trait of friendship most obvious amongst the rest.

Sorry, this will be rude, Bluebell.

You're being a tad bit(no, quite) hypocritical.

You declare hate for something you can't stand yourself.

You claim arrogance as something intolerable to you.

Such are worthy of the words "truly self-centered".

Rainbow Dash, unlike you, has her focus set on her dreams, rather than using as a means to deny things she doesn't like.

She has proven, at the Wonderbolt Academy, that she cares more for her friends than her own personal dreams, too.

She is, by far, MUCH LESS self-centered than what you make out and what you are in that post I quoted above, Bluebell.

I hold no grudge or dislike against you, Bluebell, but I will defend Rainbow Dash in this manner.

Rainbow Dash has many other traits, but I will only list these few.*

We are all hypocrites to some extent.

Some more than others at times.

If you guys don't like her for her flaws, then I've to say, you don't quite get the point of liking anypony at all.

You don't take the good because it outweighs the bad.

You take the bad because it's what makes the good. (a bit cheesy, but you get the point)

Rainbow Dash is my favorite pony. Why? Because, she's independent and a nonconformist like me.
She's not like other mares and I'm not like other males my age. What
really bothers me are these "I think X is a shitty pony" threads that are all
over the internet.(At least this thread isn't one of those.) And most of them are either on Rainbow Dash or
Rarity, who are my favorite and second favorite respectably. I don't
like Pinkie Pie and Twilight that much but, I don't type up rants about them.
In fact I like all the ponies.

I personally hate her. She's most relatable to the American culture (another reason she seems to be so popular and relatable). She is, again, loud, outspoken, and selfish. And don't even get all "amricnz r not salfish gtfo u h8r", because they are. Capitalism? Of course that'll end up with selfish people. Americans are always being selfish, asking for bigger and better things all the time and such.